10-year-old beaten up by headmaster, inquiry ordered

Bundi (Raj), Feb 8 (PTI) A 10-year-old student wasbrutally beaten up allegedly by his headmaster for not doinghis homework, prompting authorities to order an inquiry intothe incident

Prushotam Verma, a class three student of Gyan VidhayaMandir in Jajawar village, fell unconscious after he wasallegedly punished by school headmaster Mukesh Kumar for notcompleting his English homework on Monday.

The parents of the student, who claimed that the boyhad suffered head injuries, approached Nainwa police stationlast evening and filed a complaint.

Station House Officer (SHO) Kelash Chand said aninvestigation is on and a medical test of the student has beenconducted.

Terming the incident as a ''criminal act'', DistrictEducation Officer (DEO) Nathulal Verma warned of stern actionagainst the headmaster and the school if they are found guiltyof violating government guidelines against corporalpunishment.

He said the department has circulated guidelinesdirecting teachers "not to touch or beat any student".

"Government and non government schools have to followthe state government''s instructions," he said, adding aninquiry would be conducted into the matter and appropriateaction would be taken against the headmaster.